ILYA (Independent Living for Young Adults) is preparing the gift backpacks and arrangements for our Graduation Pizza Party. We have 25 grads this year who have aged out or are aging out of foster care (steadily increasing numbers every year!!). So we’re coming to you for help to make this another successful project.
Each backpack is filled with items the young person can take with them to a dorm room or new apartment as well as a $25 gift card. We celebrate their achievement with a pizza party which is likely the only acknowledgement they will receive. That’s where we present them with their backpacks. But it’s more than just a celebration… in years past some very significant connections have been made between students who didn’t know each other but were then planning to go on to the same post-secondary college. That’s so positive in that they can offer each other support that no one else can provide – because they’ve both “been there” with foster care.
So once again we’re asking for your generous support. Amy Barch (graduation project leader) and her helpers will be at a table in the parish hall during coffee hour asking for donations. Please be as generous as you can as we have more grads than ever before. We all thank you!